Store plan to bring jobs at former club
Charity retailer Newlife has emerged as the likely replacement for an abandoned Staffordshire nightspot as part of a major expansion that will create 24 jobs for local people.
Charity retailer Newlife has emerged as the likely replacement for an abandoned Staffordshire nightspot as part of a major expansion that will create 24 jobs for local people.
Newlife bosses are in talks with the KGL Estates, owner of the former Maymies nightclub, on Hemlock Way, Hawks Green, Cannock, and hope to have secured a long-term lease for the premises as early as next week. The company, which donates all of its profits to the Newlife Foundation, already has its main premises 200 yards further along Hemlock Way.
Jobs at the new site will be offered as soon as Chase District Council awards permission for a change of use at the building, and the scheme looks likely to get the go ahead after local councillors gave the plans their backing.
The move will see the former nightclub, which closed down in January 2004 after a 30-year presence in the town, used as a storage warehouse for the store's excess stock.
Jobs on offer will include part-time positions for computer operators.
Newlife chief executive Sheila Brown OBE said the retailer needs to expand its premises after securing a number of new contracts and projecting an increase of a million units of stock by the end of the financial year.
She added: "The increase in stock means we need more space. We decided to take on Maymies to accommodate this because it's just over the road.
"We are in negotiation for the site at present hope to complete the deal by the end of the month.
"We are one of the few organisations that have experienced this kind of growth in the region recently and we are proud that this success is leading to new jobs."
Hawks Green councillor Keith Bennett said the jobs boost is 'great news' for the town.
Newlife recycles and sells unwanted clothes from more than 400 retailers. The Newlife Foundation is a national children's charity that funds equipment and support for disabled children.
Applications for the new positions are already being taken.
Anyone who wants to apply should contact the company on 01543 468 888 or visit www.newlifetrading.co.uk